It’s no secret that becoming a mother changes everything. Suddenly, you have this tiny human being relying on you for everything, and your life is no longer your own.
It’s easy to let other things fall by the wayside, like your hobbies and creative pursuits. But just because you’re a mom now doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love. In fact, getting back to your creative roots can be great for both you and your child.
Today, let’s dive into why we tend to feel a little lost after motherhood and explore a few activities that can help get your creative sparks back so you can get back to being you.
Why We Lose Ourselves After Motherhood
It’s no secret that becoming a mother can be one of the most transformative experiences a woman can go through. But what isn’t talked about nearly as much is how, in the process of becoming mothers, many of us lose sight of who we are as individuals.
It’s easy to understand how this happens. When you become a mother, your entire life changes. You’re suddenly responsible for another human being, which means that your priorities and your focus shift. All of a sudden, everything in your life is about your child – their needs, their wants, their wellbeing. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it can be easy to forget about your own needs and wants in the process.
For many women, the first few years of motherhood are a blur. They’re a time when we’re just trying to survive, to keep our heads above water. We’re so focused on taking care of our children that we don’t have any time or energy left over for ourselves. And as a result, we can start to feel like we’re losing our identities.
It’s important to remember that you are still an individual, even after you become a mother. You still have your own needs and your own wants. Just because you’re now responsible for another human being doesn’t mean that you have to forget about yourself.
Make sure to take some time each day – even if it’s just a few minutes – to do something that’s just for you. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a walk, make sure to carve out some time to focus on yourself. It’s important to stay connected to your own identity, even after you become a mother.
Curate the Content you Consume
It can be tempting to follow all the mommy bloggers and Instagram “momfluencers” after becoming a mom. We all want that picture-perfect family life, right?
But inundating yourself with images of posed perfection can be detrimental to your mental health. Couple that with the exhaustion that often comes with motherhood, and it’s a recipe for leaving you feeling drained and unworthy.
Try to be intentional with who you choose to follow on social media. Surround yourself with women who are prioritizing balance and seeking ways to embrace the varied identities that come with being a mom.
Yes, you are a mom. But that’s not all you are. You’re also a daughter or sister, perhaps a wife as well. Maybe you’re a driven professional, a talented athlete, or a creative artist. There are no limits to what you can be in addition to your new title of “Mom.”
Curate your social feeds, so you’re surrounded by moms who aren’t afraid to be adventurous, sexy, athletic, and imperfect. Surround yourself with reality.
Start Something New to Get the Creative Juices Flowing
Sometimes all it takes to jump-start your creativity is to start something new. It could be taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or even starting a new project at work. Whatever it is, getting out of your comfort zone can help you tap into your creativity in ways you never thought possible.
A few things to try might be:
- Take an art or photography class
- Write a short story or poem
- Design a piece of jewelry or create a piece of art
- Take a dance class
- Take an online language class
- Start a blog or vlog
Who knows, you may just find your new creative passion! And even if you don’t, stepping out into something new helps to reinforce your identity as a multi-faceted woman who is capable of doing big things. Sometimes that reminder is all you need to remember who you really are.
Visualize and Affirm the Life You Want
Let’s be real. We know you’re not napping when the baby naps. If you’re like most new moms — ourselves included! — you’re probably too worried about whether they’re still breathing to actually take that nap everyone tells you to take. But why not spend that time taking an important step to help you reclaim some of your pre-baby identity?
Visualization and affirmations are powerful tools for helping you create the life you want — and that includes getting your creative spark back.
Here’s how it works:
- First, take a few minutes to close your eyes and visualize what your ideal day looks like. What are you doing? Who are you with? What are you wearing? How do you feel?
- Then, write down some affirmations about who you want to be as you combine your new and old identities. For example:
- I am a talented writer/painter/dancer/ etc.
- I am a patient and caring mother
- I am not afraid to fail or try new things
- I embrace my role as mom
- I am open to new ideas
- I am present for my children and my family
- I live a life of abundance and balance
- I enjoy the process of creating my dream life
- Finally, spend a few minutes each day repeating your affirmations to yourself and visualizing your ideal day. You could even try journaling your ideal day for an extra dose of manifesting power! Doing this will help you attract the things you want into your life and make it easier to let go of the limiting beliefs that no longer serve you.
We know it sounds a little “woo-woo” but trust us, it works! We’ve seen it firsthand in our own lives. So give it a try and see for yourself how powerful it can be.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, mama. Three simple but effective ways to get your creative spark back after motherhood and get back to being you. We hope these tips help you tap into your creativity and start living the life you want — a life that includes all the aspects of your identity that make you who you are.
Now we want to hear from you! What are some of the things you do to keep your creative spark alive? Share your tips with us in the comments below!
